Dirty toilets, unhygienic kitchen: Conjunctivitis outbreak hits Andhra Tribal School; 100 students infected

Sri Satya Sai: Around 100 students of Tribal Welfare Residential School in Kadiri town of Sri Satya Sai district have been infected with conjunctivitis also known as 'Madras eye'. Twenty students have been severely infected.

The outbreak came to light when parents were asked to take their children home. This is when the parents found shocking scenes at the school.

When are they affected?

According to reports, there are about 250 students on rolls at the tribal welfare school in Kadiri town. A week ago, a few students showed signs of conjunctivitis and were asked to remain under isolation. By the time they were isolated, the virus had spread to several students, and some were infected severely. "Doctor visited the hostel and gave us medicines. All sick people are kept in the same room, and the doors were closed. They said if we went out, others would be infected, so we stayed in this room", said a student affected by conjunctivitis.

After 20 students were affected severely, parents were called to take their children home. On November 19, some parents who visited the school were shocked to see the condition of the school.

Washrooms and restrooms were in the most unhygienic condition. All kitchen waste was being dumped in the backyard. A parent along with the help of the All India Student Federation (AISF) reported the matter to the district Scheduled Tribe Welfare Officer (DTWO) Mohan Ram.

AISF demands the suspension of authorities

All India Student Federation (AISF) District General Secretary Ravinder Yadav said the virus spread to almost all children, but the school authorities did not provide timely medical care."The disease is spreading due to the unsanitary conditions and negligence of the officials. When parents visited the school, they saw a child manually filling a pit dug a few days ago to repair a pipeline. Children are doubled up as laborers ", said Ravinder.

AISF demanded to suspend Principal Venkata Raman Nayak and Hostel warden Durga Prasad.

What do the officials say?

According to the health officials, they conducted a medical camp and sent the affected students home. Further, school authorities were asked to take measures to clean the premises.

What is Madras Eye?

Known as conjunctivitis, it is an infection of the outer membrane of the eyeball and the inner eyelid. Allergies or bacterial or viral infections majorly cause it. Conjunctivitis can be highly contagious and spread by contact with eye secretions from someone infected. Symptoms include redness, itching, and tearing of the eyes. It can also lead to discharge or crusting around the eyes.